What's blocked in Japan
All major apps work and no websites are blocked; some services like Hulu and Binance run separate Japanese versions.
- WhatsApp: Works
- Voice & video calls: Works
- Telegram: Works
- Signal: Works
- Discord: Works
- Facebook: Works
- Instagram: Works
- X (Twitter): Works
- TikTok: Works
- YouTube: Works
- Google: Works
- Works
- Age-gated
- Partly blocked
- Slowed down
- Blocked
App by app
None of the 71 apps we track is blocked or restricted in Japan right now.
Not offered in Japan
These companies don't sell their service here. That's a business or sanctions decision, not government censorship.
- HBO Max
- Hulu
- BBC iPlayer
- JioHotstar
- Binance
- Peacock
- BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India)
Working normally
Chat & calls
Social media
Video, TV & music
Games
Privacy & tools
The 3 VPNs that fit Japan
Our assessment, plus what visitors in Japan are reporting this week.
Picked for streaming and everyday privacy.
NordVPN
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
ExpressVPN
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Surfshark
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs CyberGhost, Private Internet Access and Proton VPN
CyberGhost
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Private Internet Access
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Proton VPN
ConnectsNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money
What's going on
Freedom House rates Japan Free (78/100) and reports no blocks on websites. Some global services operate separate Japanese editions, such as Hulu Japan and Binance Japan, so catalogues and features differ. An Active Cyber Defense law passed in April 2025 lets authorities collect more data from telecom providers.
Before you connect: Mostly used for privacy and to reach home streaming libraries while visiting.
Is a VPN legal in Japan?
Legal
VPNs are legal.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Are any apps blocked in Japan?
None of the 71 apps we track is fully blocked in Japan right now. All major apps work and no websites are blocked; some services like Hulu and Binance run separate Japanese versions.
Which streaming and online services are not available in Japan?
HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, JioHotstar, Binance, Peacock and BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) are not offered in Japan. That is the companies' decision, often because of licensing or sanctions.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Japan?
Legal. VPNs are legal.
Which VPN works in Japan?
Our picks for Japan are NordVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark. Check the live votes on this page for this week's results.
Report a block
Seeing something different in Japan? An editor reviews every report before the page changes.